Do dogs need grain
Do Dogs Need Grain in Their Diet? Vet Approved Facts & FAQ
The information is current and up-to-date in accordance with the latest veterinarian research.
Learn moreOverall, it is best for dogs to have some grain in their diet unless they have a serious allergy to grains. Some breeds need grains more than others.
According to Dr. Jennifer Adolphe, a Ph.D. pet nutritionist for the pet food brand, Petcurean, grains are an excellent source of vitamins, minerals, and fibers1. They also add necessary carbohydrates. Dr. Adolphe states that each grain has its own nutritional profile, therefore, some grains may be better for your dog than others. Thus, its best to speak with your veterinarian and decide which grains would be most beneficial for your specific dog.
Dr. Susan G. Wynn, a veterinary nutritionist at BluePearl Georgia Veterinary Specialist, also agrees that grains are a necessary ingredientand adds that whole grains, which contain all plant parts, are the best because they are the most unprocessed grains available2.
Why Are There Grain-Free Dog Foods?
Grain-free and gluten-free diets are becoming very popular among humans, especially those with allergies or sensitivities. Research shows that close to 18 million Americans have sensitivities to gluten.
Fortunately, this is an extremely rare condition in our pets. Most times when our dogs or cats have food allergies, it is a protein allergy. A dogs diet should be based mostly on high-quality protein and fat but should also include some healthy carbohydrates which could be sourced from grains. Therefore, unless there is a specific grain allergy that your veterinarian has determined, your dog should not need a grain-free diet. What is really important is to pay attention to the macronutrient composition of its diet and avoid excessive carbohydrates in its food.
Bear in mind that, in rare cases, pets may be allergic to a specific grain, as well as other plant-sourced ingredients like potatoes or carrotsbut, this is much less likely than an animal protein allergy. The top five allergens in dog foods are beef, dairy, wheat, chicken, and eggs.
Unfortunately, many pet food companies have jumped on the grain-free, gluten-free bandwagon, and advertise their foods as a sure way to end your pets allergies. We are now learning that this change in diet can actually be harmful to your dog.
What Started Grain-Free Diets in Dogs?
A pet food contamination tragedy gave grain a bad name. In 2007, a bad batch of wheat gluten imported from China and contaminated with industrial chemicals as a way to falsely enhance protein level readings, adversely affected dogs by causing kidney damage when ingested. Unfortunately, many pets became ill, and several died from it. Even though it wasnt the grain itself, but rather the chemicals added to it, people remembered the grain and made a decision to avoid it. This, along with the gluten-free trend for humans, began the race to develop dog foods that were still nutritional and affordable without grains.
Can You Feed Your Dog a Grain-Free Diet if They Dont Have Grain Allergies?
Feeding a grain-free diet to dogs can be harmful, especially when the diets are loaded of legumes. Links between canine heart disease and diet, specifically grain-free dog food diets, are currently being investigated.
According to Dr. Jerry Klein, Chief Veterinary Officer of the AKC, The FDA is investigating a potential dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain grain-free dog foods. The foods of concern are those containing legumes such as peas or lentils, other legume seeds, or potatoes listed as primary ingredients. The FDA began investigating this matter after it received reports of DCM in dogs that had been eating these diets for a period of months to years. DCM itself is not considered rare in dogs, but these reports are unusual because the disease occurred in breeds of dogs not typically prone to the disease.
What is DCM?
Canine dilated cardiomyopathy is a disease affecting the heart muscle of dogs. For dogs with DCM, their hearts have a decreased ability to pump blood, which can often lead to congestive heart failure.
While certain breeds of dogs are predisposed to DCMsuch as Cocker Spaniels, Doberman Pinschers, Great Danes, Irish Wolfhounds, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernardsthe FDA started taking notice when reports from the veterinary cardiology community showed atypical cases in breeds like Bulldogs, Golden Retrievers, Labrador Retrievers, Shih Tzus, and Whippetswho consistently ate grain alternatives.
How Did We Find Out That Grain-Free Diets Could Be Dangerous?
A total of 524 reports of DCM (515 dogs and 9 cats) were reported and received by the FDA between January 2014 and April 2019of which the total number of pets is actually greater, due to the fact that many of these reports came from multi-pet households.
In July 2019, the FDA released an update on diet and canine heart disease, in which they investgated product labels of the dog foods reported in these DCM cases. More than 90% of these foods were found to be grain-free, while 93% contained peas and lentils, and 42% contained potatoes and sweet potatoes.
Dr. Klein shared that, although at the time, there was no proof that the ingredients were the cause of DCM, dog owners should definitely be aware of the FDA alert.
Conclusion
Going against the grain of popular opinion (excuse the pun), grains are not necessarily a harmful addition to dogs diets, and are even encouraged as a source of carbohydrates and fiber.
Conversely, feeding dogs a grain-free diet that is loaded with legumes instead of grains can actually be harmful. The FDA is continuing to work with both veterinary cardiologists and nutritionists to gain a better understanding of the connection between grain-free diets and the risk of DCM.
Featured Image Credit: Caftor, Shutterstock
Unpacking the Controversy: Are Grains Bad for Dogs?
To grain or not to grain, that is the question for many confused pet parents these days. Grain-free diets are now under fire, and dog owners are left to wonder why and whether it's because dogs actually need grains in their diets.
The short answer is that dogs do NOT need grains in their diet. Grain-free commercial pet foods seem to be a problem due to their high legume content rather than their lack of grains. Let's take a closer look at grains and their relationship with dog food.
The Debate: Is Grain Bad for Dogs, or Are Grains Good for Dogs?
When the FDA released its Grain-Free Diet Alert back in 2019, it sent shockwaves through the dog-owning community. Information got misinterpreted, fear-mongering reached an all-time high, and scary news headlines proliferated. Dog owners ran to their vets sick with worry that they were harming their pups by feeding them food they thought was healthy but was now reportedly a danger to their lives.
Turns out the sky wasn't falling for all dog parents feeding a grain-free diet. You see, the FDA's inconclusive investigation has focused on a link between certain grain-free foods and DCMdilated cardiomyopathy, which is the clinical term for an "enlarged heart." (DCM can cause arrhythmias and even sudden death.)
"We are investigating a potential dietary link between canine dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM) and dogs eating certain pet foods containing legumes like peas or lentils, other legume seeds (pulses), or potatoes as main ingredients," the FDA states on their official site. Its not the grain-free part that is the potential problem, but rather the species-inappropriate ingredients these grain-free brands use in such large quantities.
Understanding the Distinction: Grains for Dogs vs. Grain-Free Dog Food
The thing is, a lot of healthful pet food brands (including reputable raw companies) were erroneously lumped into this "danger" category by misinformed "experts" who saw all grain-free foods as harmful. There was no distinction made between naturally grain-free foods (e.g., raw) and those that are modified to be grain-free, the kind the FDA is focusing its research on. The effects of this confusion and fear reverberate through the pet food industry today and, unfortunately, it's left many well-meaning pet parents stumped and scared.
The Question: Is Grain-Free Dog Food Bad?
Remember: Not all grain-free foods are created equal. Many grain-free formulas replace grains with other species-inappropriate ingredients, like corn, potato, legumes, seeds, and lentils, instead of replacing those grains with animal protein. Dogs are ill-equipped to handle these kinds of ingredients in such large quantities.
While healthy and naturally grain-free raw food brands, like We Feed Raw, don't contain any of these ingredients, many pet parents are still spooked enough to wonder if they should be adding grains to their dogs' bowls. The very short answer is no.
Clarifying Misconceptions: Do Dogs Need Grains in Their Diet?
According to Dr. Richard Patton, PhD animal nutritionist, "Dogs don't need grain of any kind. They do require small amounts of soluble carbohydrate, which can be found in meat in the form of muscle glycogen."
Grains are not an ancestral food for dogs. High-quality animal tissue, not grains, is their optimal source of nutrition. Grains break down into sugars, and excess starch and sugar promote illness: Obesity, diabetes, skin problems, allergies, and more. Dogs will benefit most from low-carb diets, and grains are high in carbs.
While the DCM investigation is ongoing, it remains a complicated matter. To date, the FDA hasn't deemed any grain-free products unsafe, but the Pet Food Institute continues to study the link between nonhereditary DCM and diet (particularly those containing high proportions of legumes and pulses).
Answering the Big Question: What is the Best Food for Dogs?
Ultimately, the best diet for your dog is the one that mimics their ancestral dieta naturally grain-free diet made up of high-quality animal protein, fat, and edible bone. This is the most biologically appropriate diet for our canines and one they've been thriving on for millennia. So let's feed them what they were designed to eat. Let's feed raw.
Take our quiz now to find out how much it would cost to get your pup started on We Feed Raw.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Is grain bad for dogs?
Grain is not necessarily bad for dogs, but it is not a natural part of their diet. Grains break down into sugars, which may promote illnesses such as obesity, diabetes, and skin problems. Importantly, dogs can live healthily on a diet devoid of grains.
Do dogs need grains?
Dogs do not need grains in their diet. High-quality animal protein, fat, and edible bone, mimicking their ancestral diet, provide the most complete nutrition for dogs.
What are some appropriate grains for dogs if I choose to include them?
If you choose to include grains in your dog's diet, it's advisable to use healthier options such as brown rice, quinoa, and oats. However, remember that these should not replace animal proteins in your dog's diet.
Is grain-free food bad for dogs?
Grain-free food is not inherently bad for dogs. The issue arises when grain-free diets replace grains with large quantities of species-inappropriate ingredients, like peas, lentils, and potatoes. These ingredients, when ingested in large quantities, can be problematic for dogs.
Are grains good for dogs?
While they are not harmful, grains are not a necessary part of a dog's dietthey do not provide any unique health benefits that dogs can't get from a high-quality, meat-based diet.
Is grain good for dogs?
Grain is not harmful to dogs, but neither is it essential. Some dogs might tolerate grains better than others, but they all will thrive on a diet primarily composed of animal-based proteins.
What grains are good for dogs?
If you decide to include grains in your dog's diet, options like brown rice, oats, and quinoa are preferable. Nonetheless, these grains should not substitute the primary component of their diet, which is animal-based proteins.
Is grain-free dog food bad?
Not all grain-free dog foods are bad. The potential problem lies not in the lack of grains, but in the replacement of grains with inappropriate ingredients like peas, lentils, and potatoes in large quantities.
Do dogs need grains in their diet?
Dogs do not require grains in their diet. Their dietary necessity is centered on animal protein, fats, and edible bones, which aligns with their ancestral diet.
Guide to Grain-Free Dog Food
Updated on January 4, 2020
Grain-free and gluten-free products have gained much popularity among people in recent years, and pet food manufacturers are following this trend, too. But is grain-free dog food the best choice for your dog?
What are the benefits of grain-free vs. grain dog food? Heres a guide to grain-free dog diets and how they compare to grain dog food.
What Is Grain-Free Dog Food?
Before we talk about grain-free dog food, you need to know which grains are commonly used in dog foods. These include:
Wheat
Corn
Rice
Oats
Barley
Rye
Soy
Are Grain-Free Dog Diets Free of Carbohydrates?
While grain-free dog foods do not have grains, they do substitute other carbohydrate sources, such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, lentils, peas, or quinoa. Therefore, grain-free foods are not carb-free. In some cases, a grain-free food may be equal to or higher in carbs than dog foods with grains.
Is Grain-Free Dog Food Also Gluten-Free?
Grain-free and gluten-free are not synonymous terms.
Gluten-free foods do not have gluten-containing grains such as wheat, barley, and rye, but they may still contain other grains. And grain-free diets may be gluten-free unless they contain ingredients that are hidden sources of gluten.
In addition, studies have shown that commercial dog foods often have cross-contamination during the manufacturing process, and therefore, may not be totally free of the ingredients they claim.
Grain-Free vs. Grain Dog Food
Whole grains provide an important nutritional resource for your dog, including B vitamins, iron, magnesium, selenium, carbohydrates for energy, and fiber to aid in digestion.
You may have heard that grain-free dog food has more meat because it makes up for the lack of grains. Grain-free diets are not all meat, although they may have a higher proportion of meat in them. As weve learned, they also substitute some of those grains with other carbohydrates.
You may also think that grain-free dog diets include only high-quality ingredients, but this isnt necessarily true any more so than with grain dog food.
In certain situations, your veterinarian may recommend a grain-free diet instead of grain dog food. For example, in dogs suspected of having food allergies (also known as an adverse food reaction), a grain-free diet might be recommended on a trial basis to see if symptoms improve.
It is important to recognize, however, that very few dogs have allergies to the grains in dog foods. The vast majority of food allergies are to the protein source (meat) in the food.
Does Grain-Free Dog Food Cause Heart Disease?
There have been recent concerns regarding the safety of grain-free foods and heart disease in dogs. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has opened an investigation into the development of dilated cardiomyopathy in dogs that are fed grain-free diets.
Dilated cardiomyopathy is a heart condition resulting in an enlarged heart and thinning of the heart muscle. This weakens the heart and can lead to heart failure and death.
The FDA opened this investigation due to the rising incidence of dilated cardiomyopathy. They have found that with the 1100+ dogs studied, 90% of the products fed were labeled as grain-free diets.
The most recent update came from a virtual scientific forum where scientific experts from academia, industry, and veterinary medicine collaborated and discussed their research on DCM. Dr. Steven Solomon, Director of the Center for Veterinary Medicine (CVM) for the FDA, emphasized that this was not an investigative update, and stated the following in his opening remarks:
I believe that our approach to date speaks to the fact that, based off the adverse event reports we have received, we have observed an association between certain diets and DCM. However, it has been nothing that would trigger a recall or market withdrawal, because the DCM issue seems to involve more factors than the food itself.
In the ongoing investigation, he stated that the FDA hopes to:
...explore additional avenues about ingredient levels, nutrient bioavailability, ingredient sourcing, and diet processing to determine if there are any common factors. We have asked pet food manufacturers to share diet formulation information, which could substantially benefit our understanding of the role of diet.
His advice to pet parents was that the best thing that you can do is to talk to your veterinarian about your dogs dietary needs based on their health and medical history.
Should You Switch Your Dog to or From a Grain-Free Diet?
Your veterinarian should be consulted regarding the best dietary choices for your dog.
There have not been any recommendations issued by the FDA advising whether you should or should not feed your dog a grain-free diet, as their study is ongoing.
The most important consideration in choosing a dog food is that it provides complete and balanced nutrition.
If you are thinking of switching your dog to a grain-free diet, discuss the risks and benefits of feeding a grain-free diet with your veterinarian first.
If your dog is already on a grain-free diet, and you want to know if you should switch to a dog food that has grains, ask your veterinarian what the best dog food option would be for your particular dog.
Featured Image: iStock.com/SolStock
